animal kingdom safari private tour

I paid $185 for a private safari at Disney World. Up-close interactions with wildlife weren't even the best part.

• I paid $185 to go on a private safari tour in Animal Kingdom at Disney World. 
• The ticket included a two-hour safari, African-inspired food, drinks, and a souvenir at the end.
• The experience was top-notch and worth it for the up-close interactions with the animals and guides.

I live 10 minutes away from Disney World and visit the parks frequently, but I'm always learning about new offerings. I recently discovered Savor the Savanna — a two-hour private safari tour at Animal Kingdom.

Although I've experienced the park's 18-minute Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, I wanted to see what the add-on experience was all about.

Here's what the private safari tour was like.

The Savor the Savanna tickets are limited, so they have to be bought in advance.

There are only 12 tickets available for each Savor the Savanna tour, so they must be booked in advance via the My Disney Experience app or Disney World's website.

The two-hour tour is held at 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. every day, weather depending.

I booked a ticket two days in advance for the earlier time and paid $174 before tax. The tour ticket doesn't include park admission, which is required to access this event. Fortunately, I didn't need to buy a park ticket because I had an annual pass. 

I checked in at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk.

I entered Animal Kingdom and made my way over to the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk just in time for the 3 p.m. check-in.

Upon arrival, I was asked to sign a waiver.

I had to sign a waiver before the tour that covered topics including medical treatment, insurance, and assumption of risk.

I received a personalized name tag.

I wasn't expecting to receive a name tag when I checked in for the tour, but I was glad I did as I could keep it as a souvenir .

Our safari vehicle was different from the standard Animal Kingdom attraction.

The Kilimanjaro Safaris ride vehicles have seats in horizontal rows, but our private tour vehicle had wooden benches lining the perimeter.

I enjoyed the seating style because it created a welcoming environment.

The vehicle's seating layout created an intimate atmosphere.

Our tour guide , Emma, was friendly and knowledgeable — she encouraged questions and ensured everyone could capture photos.

I liked that we were all able to face each other throughout the experience. It made the tour more intimate. 

We had extra time to speak with a park employee working with the giraffes.

At the beginning of our tour, we met John, a park employee who works closely with the giraffes in the savanna.

He shared fun facts about the animals and answered questions in great detail.

Since the vehicle was stopped, people could also stand up and take photos of the giraffes and other nearby animals. 

We stopped at the Boma Platform for refreshments and great views of the savanna.

We arrived at the Boma Platform, an enclosure-inspired stop, about 40 minutes into the tour.

Boma is a popular restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and we were welcomed with a table of similar African-inspired cuisine, including various cheeses , fruits, breads, and salads — the chicken salad was my favorite. 

The stop also offered a raised view of the savanna with binoculars for an even closer look at the animals. 

Various regional wines were also available to sip on.

Although I don't drink, there was a selection of regional wines available for guests 21 and over. 

We could also have complimentary POG juice (pineapple, orange, and guava).

A glass of the fan-favorite POG juice at Disney restaurants can cost upwards of $6, but we were able to have as much as we wanted during the rest stop.

I found the unlimited supply of juice to be a bonus, especially since I don't drink alcohol.

Dessert was my favorite part of the meal.

There were three desserts available at the Boma stop, and the fudge pop was the best dessert I've ever had at Animal Kingdom.

Toward the end of the tour, we had the opportunity to see rhinos up close.

This was my first time seeing a rhino in person, so it was a unique and fun experience .

The tour ended with everyone getting a small souvenir.

In exchange for the lanyard that held my name tag (I could keep the paper part with my name on it), I was gifted a wooden coaster with Savor the Savanna engraved on the front.

Although this tour was pricey, I found it to be worth the value.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is about a 20-minute attraction, but Savor the Savanna is nearly two hours, so I deemed the $185 ticket to be worth it .

I was able to ask many questions and had access to delicious food and unlimited POG juice.

Although the ticket is pretty pricey — especially since it doesn't include park admission — I'd definitely do the tour again for a special occasion.

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Savor the Savanna

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Walt Disney World® Resort

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

Age Interest

Tweens, Teens, Adults

Accessibility and Other Information - Opens Dialog

Accessibility

• Must Transfer to Wheelchair

What's New, Behind the Scenes, Animal Encounters

Enjoy the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park with a private safari, African-inspired tapas, beverages and more.

See the Savanna in a New Light

Special Access to the Savanna Your safari begins with a journey deep into the heart of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. You’ll soon find yourself within one of the most secluded and breathtaking private viewing areas the savanna has to offer.

Listen along as your guide tells tales of the unique residents who inhabit the reserve. Don’t hesitate to ask questions as your guide shares insightful information about the wildlife and the special care they’re provided at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

Premium Eats, Drinks and More While savoring the savanna scenery, you’re invited to indulge in a sampling of African-inspired cuisine too, paired with a selection of regional beer and wine offerings.

Pricing Prices range from $189 to $199—plus tax. Prices vary by date. Advanced reservations are required. Book your Savor the Savanna experience online today!

• Theme park admission is required, but not included in the price of this tour. Theme park reservations are also required.

Know Before You Go

• Savor the Savanna features a ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna teeming with wildlife.
• For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
• Guests must be at least 8 years of age to participate in this experience.
• Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).
• This experience requires Guests in ECVs to transfer into an available wheelchair to participate in the tour.
• Please check in 15 minutes prior to start of experience at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction entrance. Late arrivals will not be able to join the experience.
• This excursion occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or lightning.
• Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.
• Guests must be at least 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please keep a valid form of identification on hand at all times to verify your age.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

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Review: Savor the Savanna at Animal Kingdom

We loved this private tour so much, we’ve taken it twice! Savor the Savanna at Animal Kingdom is a guided tour where you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Africa.

The tour has a maximum of 12 persons (over the age of eight), which means it’s bound to be a small, intimate group. Amazingly, our first time through back in 2019, we were the only two people on the tour! These days, though, now that enchanting extra experiences are up and running again at Disney, that’s very unlikely to happen. Our second tour was full, but I will tell you it made for a fun-loving and congenial group. We loved getting to know everyone on our tour, as well as the excellent Cast Members who guided us.

Our tour began at 4:30 in the afternoon (times may shift depending on the time of year). We were asked to check in at least 15 minutes before that time at this booth just outside the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safari.

There was a quick form to read and sign and we were ready to go. Entering through the safari ride area, we got onto a special vehicle that would take us out onto the savanna, utilizing slightly different paths than the regular ride vehicles. The Savor the Savanna bus has seats in a u-shape around the perimeter. There is a little jostling around to be aware of. I have a less than perfect back, so I made sure to sit in a corner where I could better brace myself. Meg, our guide, was seated next to me.

The adventure begins with a drive through the west savanna where we saw plenty of animals — wildebeests, rhinos, and of course giraffes.

We also got a chance to speak with one of the savanna’s zookeepers, where we were encouraged to ask any and every question we had about the savanna and the animals that live on it. We definitely had a lot of questions! We also got to get a lot closer to those giraffes by taking a different road than the one regular safari vehicles follow.

Then it was time to head to our boma right there on the savanna — if you’ve taken the regular safari tour you’ve surely seen it in the distance.

Here, cast members treated us to a yummy tapas-style meal, with a sampling of African-inspired cuisine, paired with a selection of regional beer and wine offerings. And there was also a never-ending supply of POG juice, aka Jungle Juice, the most delicious fruit drink every Disney fan knows and loves.

We were welcome to as much as we cared to eat, though with a full tour we did run out! There was dessert offered as well. Our guides were on-hand to answer any questions we might still have. There is also a restroom available at the boma, which was a welcome amenity.

Soon it was time for the second part of our tour, traveling through the east savanna and getting a chance to see elephants, cheetahs, and the safari’s famous three lions. We caught the male waking up from a nap:

The second half of the tour went by quicker, and I should tell you that it was quite a bit more boisterous — there was wine and beer available with dinner, and many of our companions imbibed joyfully. It made for a lively and fun bunch. We enjoyed meeting everyone and were very glad we’d done this tour again. I doubt it will be our last time Savoring the Savanna.

Savor the Savanna is $174 per guest and should be booked in advance. Guests must be at least eight years of age and if under 18, need to be accompanied by an adult. All guests on this tour should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate. Guests in ECVs need to be able to transfer to an available wheelchair. Theme park admission (as well as a park reservation) is required and not included in the price of this tour.

Disney , Disney Dining , Walt Disney World

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Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Age Interest

Tweens, Teens, Adults

Accessibility and Other Information - Opens Dialog

Accessibility

• Must Transfer from Wheelchair/ECV

Behind the Scenes, Animal Encounters

Set out on an immersive safari adventure reminiscent of a nighttime drive through an African game reserve!

As the Sun Sets, the Savanna Awakens

Climb aboard an open-sided safari vehicle and feel the rush of night air as you rumble through lush scenery, scanning the horizon for over 30 species of African wildlife!

The Nightlife of Wildlife To make the most of your animal-viewing extravaganza, Guests will be provided with a night vision device! You’ll be astounded by what you can see: zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and antelopes—plus ostriches and over 20 other exotic African species that freely roam across the savannas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge .

Reservations and Important Details Reservations can be made on this page or in the My Disney Experience app .

This nighttime tour lasts approximately one hour. It’s available exclusively to Guests 8 years of age or older. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult who is 18 years of age or older.

Know Before You Go

• Warning: This experience features a ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna. For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
• Late arrivals after the start of the tour will not be accommodated.
• Check in at the porte-cochere at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Valid photo ID will be required to check in.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.
• Guests must be at least 8 years of age to participate in Starlight Safari, and Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• Guests using an ECV must leave their mobility devices behind at the Resort. They will retrieve them upon conclusion of the tour. This experience requires Guests in ECVs to transfer into an available wheelchair in order to participate in the tour.
• Nontransferable wheelchair Guests may remain in their wheelchair throughout this experience, however due to limited capacity on board the safari vehicle, all accommodation requests must be confirmed by calling (407) 666-6400.
• While safari vehicles are equipped for rain and wet terrain, experiences may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
• All aspects of the tour are subject to change without notice.
• Starlight Safari is a night experience, and Guests are responsible for transportation to and from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village.
• Allow up to 1.5 hours to travel to your destination within Walt Disney World Resort.

Savor the Savanna

Take off on a private safari through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve and indulge in premium eats and drinks.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Behind-The-Scenes Tours: Reviews, Breakdowns, and Know-Before-You-Go

Animal Kingdom has a number of behind-the-scenes tours available, all of which give you private, up-close experiences with a select set of animals. In this article, you’ll find a breakdown of each of the four tours, as well as general information on how the tours work, what you can expect, and important items to know before you go!

Important Information

To start with the basics: All of the tours offered require separate theme park admission and until January 2024, a park pass reservation for Animal Kingdom (or a park hopper for the later tours). All tours occur rain or shine, but may be cancelled or adjusted in the event of thunderstorms. And all tours do not technically guarantee that you’ll see animals, since animals are never forced to do anything or go anywhere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It would be extremely unlikely (we’d say borderline impossible) that you are unable to see any animals during your tour, but that is a disclaimer that Disney gives!

Tour check-in is at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Be sure to arrive early, as late arrivals typically cannot be accommodated and you’ll usually need to fill out a waiver before heading out!

Different tours have different levels of “backstage” viewing. For Wild Africa Trek and Savor the Savanna, you go into areas of Kilimanjaro Safari that most guests can’t see, but you’re still onstage. For Caring for Giants and Up Close with Rhinos, you do go into a fully backstage area, so just something to keep in mind with little ones! Note that when you are in a backstage area, no photos or videos are allowed.

All tours typically have discounts available for Annual Passholders and/or DVC members and are available to book 60 days before the start of your trip. This means that if you’re staying from Friday to Tuesday at an on-property resort, you can book for your entire stay starting 60 days from Friday, even though Tuesday is 64 days out. If nothing is available, keep checking back – sometimes, tours aren’t posted until 30-45 days out!

Savor the Savanna and Wild Africa Trek both have food components. They are able to accommodate any dietary restrictions, you’ll just let them know at check-in. Alcoholic beverages are also provided for anyone over the age of 21.

Now let’s go over key info for each of the individual tours:

Caring For Giants

Availability: Daily, typically at 9:00AM, 10:00AM, 1:00PM, and 2:00PM

Length: 1 hour

Cost: $35 per person

Restrictions: Guests must be 4 years of age or older and guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

On this tour, you’ll hop on a bus and take a quick 10 minute drive to a viewing area in the back of the African Elephant enclosure, where you’ll be able to view the herd from 80-100 feet away. Throughout the tour, the guide will provide information about the elephants and their care at Animal Kingdom. The tour is extremely freeform and is heavily based around the questions asked, so definitely come prepared with a few!

Elephant seen during Caring For Giants tour

Up Close With Rhinos

Availability: Daily, typically at 11:00AM

Cost: $45 per person

Similar to Caring for Giants, on this tour, you’ll take a quick 10-minute bus ride to a backstage viewing area for the White Rhinos. During the tour, the guide will provide information about the White Rhinos and their care at Animal Kingdom, focused primarily on answering your questions (so be sure to bring some!) While most of the tour will be from a distance, the tour does end with getting to touch a rhino in their enclosure!

Two important things to note about this tour: 1. Since it only runs once per day, it is typically the hardest to book 2. The tour takes place entirely backstage, so no photos and videos are allowed at all throughout the tour.

Savor the Savanna

Availability: Daily, typically at 3:15PM and 4:30PM

Length: 2 hours

Cost: $174 per person

Restrictions: Guests must be 8 years of age or older and guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

This tour is the most relaxing of the four! You’ll hop on a special Kilimanjaro Safari truck and take a special safari tour, stopping part of the way to meet with a keeper who will tell you about how they care for the animals on the savanna. Then, you’ll make your way to a pavilion at the top of the savanna, where you’ll have food from Tusker House and Tiffins waiting for you, as well as alcoholic beverages. You’ll get to sit and enjoy your refreshments while you learn about the animals and their care (including asking questions!), before finishing off the safari at the end.

Wild Africa Trek

Availability: Daily, typically at 8:45AM, 10:15AM, 11:45AM, and 12:30PM

Length: 3 hours

Cost: $199 per person

Restrictions: Guests must be 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches tall. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must be between 45 and 300 pounds with the harness gear on.

This tour involves many parts! You’ll receive a harness and everything will need to be strapped to you – if your cell phone as a case, you can get a phone holder to bring and they’ll provide a new water bottle that you can keep at the end of the tour. Small cameras that hang around the neck are also allowed, as are hats, ears, and sunglasses. Anything else will need to be stored in a locker!

During the tour, you’ll watch a hippo feeding, cross two suspended bridges over a hippo enclosure and a crocodile enclosure, and get a special crocodile viewing. The guides have lots of prepared information to share, but are also happy to answer any questions! You’ll then finish by going to the same pavilion as Savor the Savanna to enjoy food from Tusker House and Tiffins, as well as alcoholic beverages.

Hippo encounter during the Wild Africa Trek tour

All of the tours at Animal Kingdom are incredible – we’ve done all except Up Close with Rhinos, and plan to do that soon as well! It’s hard to say which is “best”, as it really depends on what you’re looking for. Our recommendation for someone just starting out with tours would be Caring For Giants, and if you’re a huge Animal Kingdom-lover, Wild Africa Trek!

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Wild Africa Trek – An In-Depth Review of the VIP Backstage Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney describes the Wild Africa Trek as “[a] privately guided VIP expedition offering close encounters with exotic African wildlife in their native habitat.” In other words, the Wild Africa Trek is a tour that builds upon the experience of Kilimanjaro Safaris by taking you to areas of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve that you may have seen on Kilimanjaro Safaris, but only from afar. This article takes an in-depth look at the Wild Africa Trek experience, details the cost associated with the tour, responds to possible FAQs from those considering the tour, and, ultimately, attempts to the answer the question: Is the Wild Africa Trek worth its cost?

Checking (and Strapping) In

Check-in for Animal Kingdom’s Wild Africa Trek takes place next to the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris. When you arrive, a cast member will verify your registration, inform you that there will be no restrooms available for the first two hours or so of the Trek, and subtly suggest that you take advantage of the the restrooms available around the corner before suiting up.

Once through the initial check-in, you’ll get a locker to store everything you cannot securely attach to your vest and/or harness. The “attached to the vest” restriction can be confusing with respect to cameras, but – according to the cast members with whom we talked – a camera strap that hangs around your neck will suffice. During this phase, cast members will also provide croakies for your glasses or sunglasses, a nametag, and a keepsake water bottle that clips to your vest.

After your belongings are secured in the locker, a cast member will fit you with a vest and harness. The harness fits snugly, through and around your legs. For this reason, and also probably because the trek includes walking across exposed bridges, Disney recommends that women do not wear skirts or dresses for the Wild Africa Trek. Based on her experience with the harness straps, my wife would also recommend that women do not wear very short shorts.

Once you are all strapped into your harness, you are weighed to verify compliance with the 300 lb weight limit (those of you who are scale-shy shouldn’t worry; there are no giant flashing numbers), provided a radio earpiece to hear the guides, and encouraged to take advantage of the available sunscreen and bug spray.

Starting the Tour

The first part of the tour involves walking through what our charming guides referred to as “some of the most dangerous animals in the wild:” homo sapiens. Basically, you walk from the Wild Africa Trek check-in location to the entrance of Pangani Forest Exploration Trail . On the Pangani Trail, you follow the same path as any guest, including winding through the aviary and quickly walking past the naked mole rats. Even with the additional and humorous insights provided by the Wild Africa Trek guides, this part of the tour might leave you wondering when the real tour is going to start. Thankfully, near the end of Pangani Trail, the fun really begins.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Toward the end of the Pangani Trail, your guides lead you up into the woods. This is where the real Wild Africa Trek experience begins. After a brief trail walk, you arrive at an overlook that extends out above the hippopotamus pool. Your guide will clip you (via your harness) to a support railing that allows you to move up to the edge of the overlook without fear of falling into the hippos’ gaping maws. The primary guides provide some hippo insight, but the group is also joined by a “hippo expert”, who provides you with information about feeding habits and the hippos’ relationships with one another, and, most importantly, brings large quantities of lettuce to coax the hippos closer to the overlook.

Next comes the rope bridge across the crocodiles. Those who have experienced Kilimanjaro Safaris have driven under this bridge (really two bridges connected by a platform tower) and may have noticed cast members or Wild Africa Trek groups traversing it. The rope bridge is not particularly difficult to navigate, though it was a little more wobbly than I had expected and I appreciated the fact that I was clipped into a safety line. Every member of the group will go across the bridge individually, and you are free to stop along the way to take pictures (assuming you have the courage to let go of the railings).

Since the bridge takes you literally over the crocodiles (don’t fall!), it shouldn’t be much surprise that the next stop is to view the crocodiles a little more closely. Just as with the hippopotamus overlook, you are attached to a safety rail so that you can inch up to the edge, and you are joined by a crocodile expert with interesting tidbits of information. Now is a great time for pictures: apparently natural models, crocodiles will hold a given pose (such as showing off their jaws) for quite some time.

Riding (and Stopping) in the Savannah

After you wave goodbye to the crocodiles, you’ll also say goodbye for to your vest, harness, and earpiece, and hello to back of a safari truck. The Wild Africa Trek vehicles are different from those on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Your vehicle for the Trek features benches along the outer edge of the bed of the truck, with a wide open area in the middle. This allows for everyone to face one another, and the guides, while riding through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, and, more importantly, provides a nice empty space for everyone to stand when the truck stops. Yes, unlike Simba–1 on Kilimanjaro Safaris, this truck will stop, and your guides allow you to stand to get a better view of the animals on the reserve. If you are a photographer, this fact alone might make the Wild Africa Trek worth its price.

Other than the truck’s configuration and the opportunity to stop for several minutes at various places along the tour, what you see during the ride through the Harambe Wildlife Preserve is nearly identical to what you would experience on Kilimanjaro Safaris. This includes views of the springboks, giraffes, elephants, and other savannah animals. However, since you have so much more time, you hear much more information. Our guides were very knowledgeable and the other guests had great questions. For example, we learned that one of the giraffes was pregnant, and it appears that Disney’s Animal Kingdom (or Animal Kingdom Lodge) will have another baby giraffe sometime in 2015.

When you are about two thirds of the way through the traditional Kilimanjaro Safaris trail, near the flamingo pool, the Wild Africa Trek again diverges from the standard experience. It is at this point that you stop at a boma for a meal and more animal-viewing. Note that boma simply means an area for outdoor meals and parties, and you are not going all the way to Boma , the restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The boma on the Wild Africa Trek is a large, beautiful observation deck with views of substantial sections of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The front of the observation deck, where there are tables and chairs, has fantastic views of the elephants, the flamingo pond, and the grasslands populated with many other animals; the rear of the observation deck provides a (binocular-assisted) view of the rock formation that the lions call home.

The meal provided at the boma is specially prepared by the kitchen at Tusker House and differs depending on the time of day (i.e. breakfast for morning tours, lunch for afternoon tours.) For example, a breakfast meal includes brie, various fruits, and yogurt with granola, while lunch features items such as smoked meats, salmon roulade, and shrimp. If any of that sounded appetizing to you, then you are in for a treat on the Trek. The food is excellent, and, as our guides pointed out, the boma on the Wild Africa Trek is the only place at Walt Disney World to get these items. With classic Disney Magic touch, even the flower accompanying the meal is edible and tasty.

Finishing out the Tour

After relaxing at the boma, and taking in the views from both sides of the observation deck, it is time to pile back into the safari truck to finish the tour. As before, the truck travels a route similar to that of the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride vehicles, but it has the benefit of stopping and allowing you to stand and take pictures of the animals along the way.

The tour ends at the same place that Kilamonjaro Safaris concludes. At this time, the tour group and guides all must walk back to the lockers, where personal belongings were stored approximately three hours prior, and say your tearful goodbyes.

During most of the year, the Wild Africa Trek costs $201.29 per person. During peak times, however, the price tag jumps to $265.00. Peak times include: the weeks of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter, and a period Disney defines as “spring break” (which changes from year to year and has not yet been set for 2015.) You must pay for your tour, in full, at the time of booking, and if you have to cancel, you must do so more than two days in advance if you wish to receive a refund. The tour takes place rain or shine, so it would be a good idea to pay attention to the weather forecast if the thought of experiencing the Wild Africa Trek in the rain does not appeal to you.

Through October 25 of this year (2014), Disney is offering a $50 discount, per person, on “afternoon” tours (i.e. tours that start at 11:30 AM or later.) At nearly 25% of the cost of the tour, this is a fairly substantial discount. Of course, if you are traveling in July or August, saving $50 per person might not be enough to make a three hour tour in the Florida heat (or afternoon thunderstorms) enjoyable.

At the time of publication, the cast members I spoke with informed me there is no current Annual Pass discount available for the Wild Africa Trek. When I booked my tour earlier this year, however, I received a discount of $50 per person that the cast member handling the booking attributed to my status as an Annual Passholder. Consequently, I encourage Annual Passholders to ask for any potential discounts when booking their tours.

How do I book a reservation for the Animal Kingdom’s Wild Africa Trek? Reservations for the Wild Africa Trek made by calling (407) WDW-TOUR (i.e. (407) 939–8687.)

What should I wear on the Wild Africa Trek? Sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable walking shoes (but they don’t have to be made for hiking – I did just fine in sneakers and my wife wore Converse), and breathable materials in temperature appropriate styles.

What should I not wear on the Wild Africa Trek? Flip flops (or other shoes that could easily slide off), dresses, skirts, or any clothing that would be uncomfortable when you are in the vest and harness. Take a look at the harnesses used in mountain climbing and ropes courses to see where the straps of the harness hit the body, and do what you can to avoid chafing.

What are the physical demands associated with the Wild Africa Trek?

• THE WALK: The total walking on the tour probably clocks in just under 2 miles (through the prohibition against non-vest-attached cellphones meant I didn’t get a precise calculation.) I would suggest taking a couple trips around Epcot’s World Showcase to gauge how comfortable you feel walking that distance over 90 minutes or so.
• THE BRIDGE: As I noted above, the rope bridge is a little more wobbly than I anticipated it would be. Additionally, some boards are “missing” from the bridge which means that you have to step over sizable gaps (though I didn’t have a measuring tape with me, I would guess the largest gap was around 16–18 inches, and there is a safety net under the entire bridge which is visible through the gaps). Despite the wobbliness and the gaps, my wife Elyssa, who is not particularly fond of heights, and the rest of the our group had no real issues traversing the bridge. Ultimately, it comes down to your particular sense of balance and your comfort with being approximately two stories off the ground.
• THE BATHROOMS: There are no restroom facilities for the first two hours or so of the tour. A cast member will most likely remind you of that fact before you are strapped in the harness, but it is probably a good idea to hit up the restrooms in Harambe Village before you check-in. There is a bathroom once you get to the boma about two thirds of the way through the Trek.

Should I bring my camera (smartphone or stand alone?)

This depends on how much of the experience you want to capture. The guides will take pictures of the group and the animals frequently throughout the Trek, and I felt our particular guides did a good job of getting shots of each individual party within the overall group. After the tour, you receive access to a website that allows you to download the guides’ photos and a “greatest hits” set of photos from other tours. I probably would have been content had the guide photos been all I received.

I was happy, however, that I brought my own camera. It allowed me to take more candid shots of my wife enjoying the experience than the guides did. As noted earlier in the post, you do have to either attach your camera to your vest or hang it around your neck to be allowed to bring it. Though smartphone photographs would probably be sufficient to get the extra documentation you may want from your Wild Africa Trek experience, the requirement of attaching your phone to your vest might make it easier to go with a compact camera. I found it much easier to find a suitable camera strap for my camera than to find an iPhone case/strap that would keep my phone connected to my vest while I took pictures.

Does the Wild Africa Trek photo download include other Disney Photopass photos from the rest of my vacation? No. In fact, you go to a special website – which appears to be separate from the Disney Photopass site – to download your images.

Is it Worth it?

The Wild Africa Trek is fantastic. Both my wife and I enjoyed it thoroughly, and, but for the cost associated with the Trek, would love to take the tour each and every time we go to Walt Disney World. Of course, in reality, the more than $200 per person price tag must be factored into the decision. Thankfully, Disney packs a lot into the Trek to justify the $200 cost, including: access to areas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom not available to regular guests, up-close encounters with animals not available through any other Disney attractions, a meal available only on the tour, full photographic documentation of the experience, and, of course, your awesome water bottle.

If you have never experienced the Wild Africa Trek, have at least a passing interest in animals, and think you might enjoy the experience described above, then the answer is simple: Yes. Go on the tour. If, however, you still have questions about whether you would enjoy three hours walking and driving mostly in the Florida sun, then you might have to think a little harder about whether this experience is right for you. The goal of this post is to provide enough detail for you to make a well-informed decision.

When my wife and I look back on our last few trips to Walt Disney World, it is the Wild Africa Trek that we list as our “Number One Highlight.” For us, the Wild Africa Trek was definitely worth its price tag.

After reading about the Wild Africa Trek, are you interested in going on the tour? What other Disney VIP tours have you been on? Let us know what you think in the comments.

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John is on the long list of attorneys who are also huge Disney fans. He likes to think there's more to him to that, but the jury's still out. John's love and fandom for Disney is only rivaled by his love for his wife Elyssa and his fandom for the Boston Red Sox. Though they live in North Carolina, John and Elyssa try to visit Disney World whenever possible - especially for runDisney events, holidays, special occasions, vacations, and days that end in the letter "y". John can be found on Twitter at @kivus.

15 thoughts on “ Wild Africa Trek – An In-Depth Review of the VIP Backstage Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ”

what is the age requirement?

8 years and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall.

See https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/wild-africa-trek/

Thank you, after visiting the link you posted, I measured my 8 year old and found out that she is exactly 48 inches….. and we will be doing this on our next visit!!!

I am interested in knowing is an AM or PM tour better due to animal activity, etc. Heat doesn’t bother us.

Good question, and even better timing. Today, Disney published findings from a study it performed on animal activity at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The result? Time of day does not significantly change the probability of spotting animals. (You can read more details here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/07/wildlife-wednesday-myth-busters-whens-the-best-time-to-see-your-favorite-animals-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ )

So, if you believe Disney’s study, an AM or PM tour should not result in different levels of animal activity. One alternative factor you may wish to consider: Would you rather eat the brie, various fruits, and yogurt with granola they serve at breakfast, or the smoked meats, salmon roulade, and shrimp they serve at lunch?

We did an 8am tour in August 2012. Rather than “Check-in takes place next to the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris”, because our tour started before the park opened we had to check-in just outside the main turnstiles.

Our group was of 12 people, I assume this is the maximum. The cast members were fantastic. Disney supplied a total of 187 photos (in 2012 it was on a PhotoCD that arrived in the post a few weeks later), the vast majority were our of tour rather than being stock photos. At the boma the CMs were happy to oblige by taking numerous individual and family/group photos.

My kids still remember eating the flower during the meal! We threw the souvenir water bottles away as the screw lids kept getting cross-threaded.

We didn’t do the normal Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, there seemed little point when the tour offered so much more. It was definitely worth the money.

Adding this to my Disney Bucket List immediately! Looks like a must-do, especially for been-there, done-that types like our family. Thanks for all the information and photos!

I booked this tour a few days ago for my husband and myself in September, and with the discount it was just under $300 for the two of us including tax. We’ve been going to WDW every year for several years and this is our first tour, and I’m very excited. One question – is the meal a full meal or more like a snack? We’re doing the 1:30 tour and have dinner reservations at 7:30. I’m just wondering if we’ll be too full to enjoy dinner.

I would classify it as a “light lunch.” If you need more details than what I put in the review, Disney’s official explanation of the meal (available here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/wild-africa-trek-you-cant-feed-the-animals-but-you-get-to-eat/ ) has another picture of what you will be served.

If I was taking the 1:30 PM tour, I would eat something light for lunch around 12:00-12:30 PM before going on the tour, and have the meal on the tour around 3:15-3:30 PM, and then I would be ready for dinner at 7:30 PM. If I was really concerned about maximizing my value when it comes to dinning options, I might not schedule a buffet or similar “all you care to enjoy” meal for that 7:30 PM reservation.

Again, that is based on my eating habits, but hopefully it gives you a little more insight. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you for your more than through review. I think I am putting this on my list for October.

My family of 4 and another family of 4 are doing this together this August. This will be our 4th trip to the World but our first Wild Africa Trek. I am looking forward to this tour the most out of our entire trip. We got the $50 per person discount and are taking the 11:45 tour. For all 8 of us that’s a $400 savings – so we’ll tough it out in the Florida heat. Can’t wait!

My wife and I did this tour in 2011, and it was great. (To be fair, we’re the kind of people who will stand in line and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris 2 or 3 times in one trip.) It’s definitely not for Disney-on-a-budget, but if you can afford it, it’s not going to let you down.

As for the weight limit, I think it used to be 250, and when I did it I was probably about 230, but they never brought out the scale to check. I’d imagine that 300 is closer to the actual safety rating of the equipment, which is why they need to break out the scale now.

This is on my Disney bucket list. Thanks for the great article. I think when the trek first started, the weight limit was lower, I remember thinking that I wouldn’t qualify. (I’ve lost weight, so it is not any issue any way now for me.) If I ever do a solo trip to WDW, this will be my big slurge.

My wife and I have looked very carefully at this adventure and are scheduled to take the Trek on Sep 5 in the morning. We too believe this will be the highlight of our next visit. I was a bit disappointed in the reservation process. You call and give your credit card info (charging the full amount) and all you get in return is a number. No email no hard copy. We were told to ask at check in about our DVC or Disney Visa card discount. There was no discount available at the time of reservation. Then the reservation does not link to My Disney Experience. You can only make a note. Something for the Mouse to work on! Really looking forward to the experience though!

My 11-year-old daughter (who loves animals) & I did the Trek in Oct 2013. I agree that it was totally worth the cost! It was a wonderful experience that tops anything else we’ve done at Disney. Although we were both nervous about the bridges, being harnessed made it a very safe-feeling experience & ended up being one of the highlights of the experience (I will warm that short-legged people will have to stretch to make a couple of the gaps based on my 5-foot-tall daughter’s experience, but she says that was part of the fun). Being able to stop during the drive portion of the safari was great as well—but do be alert & listen to the guides as you may need to suddenly sit back down to move along quickly should the animals take an extra interest in you (they are wild animals!)—we had an up-close encounter with the rhinos when they decided to come check us out! The trek was definitely worth every penny & we would love to be able to do it again.

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Savor the Savanna: Safari Experience in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

Enjoy an exclusive guided safari tour of Animal Kingdom’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve, followed by  African-inspired small plates, beer, and wine from a lovely private viewing area on the Savanna .

Kilimanjaro Safaris — Home of Harambe Wildlife Reserve

Kilimanjaro Safaris area in Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Guests check in at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, which is across from the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris.)

A guided safari truck tour through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, with the opportunity to ask questions. African-inspired small plates with regional beers and wines are served afterword in an exclusive space on the Savanna.

This 2 hour experience is typically offered daily, with available start times ranging from 3:15PM to 6:15PM. (Note that available times vary throughout the year.)

$189.00 – $199.00 per Person (Prices vary by date; tax not included)

Additional Information

• Valid Admission into Animal Kingdom Park is required, but not included;
• Guests must be at least 8 years old.
• Guests utilizing an ECV are required to transfer into an available wheelchair for the tour.
• The event takes place rain or shine.
• Guests are required to cancel at least 24 hours ahead of the tour in order to avoid the forfeiture of the entire price of the tour.
• Guests 21 and older are asked to have valid identification with them to enjoy the alcoholic beverages.
• Disney World Annual Passholders , Disney Vacation Club Members , and Disney Visa Cardholders may be eligible for discounts.

Book online or through the My Disney Experience app

NOTE: Prices and inclusions are subject to change. Please visit the Disney World Savor the Savanna Page to confirm information prior to booking.

Click here to see more Disney World Tours

Click here to see more animal kingdom experiences and tours, be sure to join our dfb newsletter to stay on top of all the news about dining in disney world, check out our other ebooks.

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Africa at Animal Kingdom (Kilimanjaro Safaris, Festival of the Lion King)

By: Author Allyson Koerner

Published: October 31, 2022 Updated: September 7, 2023

Animal Kingdom is the youngest park at Walt Disney World. It’s also one of the most unique thanks to its zoo-like atmosphere.

Even though there are a variety of animals to see, including giraffes, zebras, and elephants, it’s far different than a zoo.

Animal Kingdom is known for having some of the best park food on property, thrilling attractions, exciting tours, and much, much more.

As the biggest Disney World theme park, there’s  a lot  to see and do, so why not take a deep dive into each land?

Here we take a closer look into Africa , one of the most vibrant and entertaining lands at Animal Kingdom.

This land celebrates African culture, food, animals, and so much more. From unique merchandise, to phenomenal entertainment, to seeing animals on the savanna, Africa is one land that you certainly shouldn’t overlook.

In this article

Location : Animal Kingdom Restaurants : 8 Quick Service ( Mahindi , Tamu Tamu Refreshments , Harambe Market , Harambe Fruit Market , Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery , Dawa Bar , 2 Snack & Drink Carts); 1 Table Service ( Tusker House ) Shops : Africa Hub Cart, Kilimanjaro Safaris Cart, Zuri’s Sweet Shop, Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Traders, Mariya’s Souvenirs Entertainment : Kora Tinga Tinga, Tam Tam Drummers, Harambe Village Acrobats, Festival of the Lion King, Dino-Bash Flotilla, Discovery Island Drummers Flotilla, Discovery River Character Cruise, Adventurer’s Flotilla — Disney Ducks, Adventurer’s Flotilla –  Up Animals : Seen on Kilimanjaro Safaris (Bongos, Okapi, Nyala, Bontebak, Black Rhino, Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Giraffes, Sable Antelope, Gazelles, Ankole-Watusi Cattle, Wildebeest, Hyenas, African Wild Dogs, Mandrill, Elephants, Greater Flamingos, White Rhinos, Greater Kudu, Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Long-Horned Eland, Impala, Cheetahs, Lions, Addax, Warthogs, Ostriches, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Zebras); Seen on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (Okapi, Yellow-Backed Duikers, Colobus Monkeys, Naked Mole Rats, Snakes, African Birds, Hippos, Gerenuk, Meerkats, Zebras, Western Lowland Gorillas) Attractions : Kilimanjaro Safaris Tours : Wild Africa Trek, Caring for Giants, Up Close with Rhinos, Savor the Savanna Trails : Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Characters : None Popular snacks and drinks : Simba Sunset (Tamu Tamu Refreshments), Grilled Corn on the Cob (Harambe Fruit Market), Lost on Safari (Dawa Bar), Ngumu Jungle Juice (Dawa Bar) Not-to-miss : Kilimanjaro Safaris, Festival of the Lion King, Tusker House, Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Harambe Village Acrobats

• Check out our DinoLand, U.S.A. deep dive

Africa’s Table Service offering is a popular character meal location that has some fantastic food offerings. You can also find great African flavors at the Quick Service restaurants. Plus, Dole Whip .

Quick Service Restaurants

Mahindi is a popcorn stand that you’ll see first thing as soon as you cross the bridge into Africa from Discovery Island. You can also usually purchase seasonal and limited-time popcorn buckets here.

Tamu Tamu Refreshments

Tamu Tamu Refreshments is located in the heart of Africa.

In addition to a range of breakfast options , this is the stand to visit if you’re in need of a cold treat. You can even order pineapple Dole Whip here.

There are also special Dole Whip menu items, including Simba’s Sunset (pineapple Dole Whip with strawberry), Lion’s Lair (pineapple Dole Whip topped with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and sour apple), and King’s Cooler (pineapple Dole Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum), to name a few.

Next to Tamu Tamu Refreshments, there’s a partially covered seating area.

Harambe Market

The Harambe Market has a wide range of African-inspired dishes . This is a good place to grab a bite if you want something healthier or lighter.

From salads, to a rice and chicken bowl, to a ribs bowl, to a plant-based bowl, there are several options. Plus, kids can choose from a peanut butter and jelly Uncrustable, chicken nuggets, or a chicken bowl.

The market area has a big outdoor section with tables and chairs for guests. You can also place Mobile Orders, which we always recommend taking advantage of to make life easier.

The theming here is on point and you can even find the famous “You Are Most Beautiful Wall” tucked back in the corner.

“You Are Most Beautiful” wall location:

Harambe Fruit Market

The Harambe Fruit Market is a small outdoor stand where you can order snacks, including the ever-so- popular Grilled Corn on the Cob (with or without African spices).

Yes, the corn is messy, but we’ve heard it’s worth having the corn get caught in between your teeth.

There is also fruit, chips, Mickey Pretzels, hot dogs, bottled beverages, and more available here for purchase.

• More about dining at Walt Disney World

Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery

Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery is located across from the Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Traders.

It’s easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled, because this stand has some great menu items .

From breakfast options including sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit and a pistachio honey croissant, to flatbreads, to house-made chips, there are some unique offerings here that are usually pretty delicious.

The Dawa Bar is a fun spot to grab a drink, take a rest, and watch the Tam Tam Drummers and Harambe Village Acrobats.

There’s a small list of beer, wine, and cocktails available , including specialty beverages like the Lost on Safari (Starr African Rum and Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum with Pangani Punch) and the Ngumu Jungle Juice (Snow Leopard Vodka, Bols Peach Schnapps and Tusker’s famous Jungle Juice).

There is a spacious covered area with tables and chairs, too.

Snack & Drink Cart

Across from the Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Traders, there is a snack and drink cart if you want ice cream, chips, or a bottled beverage.

As you walk the path from Africa to Pandora , you’ll come upon a snack and drink cart selling ice cream, snacks, and bottled beverages.

Table Service Restaurant

Tusker house.

Tusker House is the only character meal at Animal Kingdom — and it’s a great one.

In addition to a buffet serving African dishes (with many kid-friendly choices), you get to meet Safari Donald, Mickey, Goofy, and Daisy!

This is one of the best character dining options and is super fun. You can book it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

• Check out the best character meals at Disney World

Seating Areas

Here are the different seating areas you can find around Africa.

Near Tusker House and Dawa Bar:

By the Harambe Fruit Market:

Next to Tamu Tamu Refreshments:

At Harambe Market:

There are several shops that you should definitely take the time to explore while you’re in Africa.

Africa Hub Cart

The Africa Hub Cart is next to Mahindi and across from Tamu Tamu Refreshments. There is a small offering of pins, hats, and other Disney merchandise.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Cart

This cart has different Animal Kingdom and Disney souvenirs, including plushes.

Zuri’s Sweet Shop

Zuri’s Sweet Shop is connected to the Mombasa Marketplace and Ziwani Traders. While you can buy different souvenirs here, you can also pick out Disney desserts from the bakery case.

There are typical Disney treats, like caramel apples and cookies. But, if you want to try something unique, order the Mickey Dark Chocolate with Chili Pepper. You can only find it at Zuri’s.

Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Traders

Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Tarders is the main gift shop in Africa. There are so many fantastic items available for guests to take home.

Yes, there are shirts, plushes, and even National Geographic souvenirs, but there are special offerings, including jewelry and other items made my artisans from Africa.

You can even visit the wood carver outside, who transforms wood into beautiful one-of-a-kind wooden animals and more.

Mariya’s Souvenirs

Mariya’s Souvenirs is found near the Harambe Theatre, where Festival of the Lion King plays. You can browse hats, plushes, snacks, toys, and more.

There are 4 popular animal-related tours that you can book up to 60 days in advance. You’ll check in for all of these tours at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk located near Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Here’s a brief breakdown of each tour. Click the link for more information, including pricing.

• Wild Africa Trek : A privately-guided, VIP expedition full of close encounters with exotic African wildlife.
• Caring for Giants : Get a closer look at African elephants and learn what it takes to care for them.
• Up Close with Rhinos : Meet and learn about rhinos in a special viewing area backstage.
• Savor the Savanna : Enjoy the savanna with a private safari, African-inspired tapas, beverages and more.

Attractions

There is only one attraction in Africa, but it is a popular and worthy ride. This is a must-do if you’re visiting Animal Kingdom.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris is the ride at Animal Kingdom allowing you to see all kinds of African animals.

You board a Safari truck and head out on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve as if you’re going on an actual safari.

The attraction spans 110 acres and is home to 34 species! The ride is also 22 minutes giving you the chance to see elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, lions, and so many more amazing creatures.

There is a Standby Line and a Lightning Lane available.

• Here are best Genie+ choices at Walt Disney World

Entertainment

Africa has some of the best entertainment. The land wouldn’t be the same without the following.

Kora Tinga Tinga

Kora Tinga Tinga plays a hand-crafted African harp with 21 strings, aka the “kora,” outside the Harambe Market. It’s a beautiful performance. Find daily showtimes in the My Disney Experience app.

Tam Tam Drummers

The Tam Tam Drummers play on the stage across from Dawa Bar. You won’t be able to stop dancing to the African rhythms the drummers deliver. Find daily showtimes in the My Disney Experience app.

Harambe Village Acrobats

You don’t want to miss the Harambe Village Acrobats. They either perform by the stage across from Dawa Bar or near the Harambe Market. They are beyond amazing. You won’t believe what the acrobats they’re capable of. Find daily showtimes and location in the My Disney Experience app.

Festival of the Lion King

Festival of the Lion King tells the story of The Lion King with some of the most talented and best performers at Disney.

You’ll hear songs from the film performed, along with standout acts, like a fire dancer, the Tumble Monkeys, and the gorgeous flying blue bird.

You can either wait in the Standby Line or use the Lightning Lane. Regarding the latter, using Genie+ here isn’t totally necessary, because the theater holds a lot of people.

But, you will want to plan accordingly, because this is the most popular show at Animal Kingdom.

Find daily showtimes in the My Disney Experience app.

Note about the following cavalcades: All of the character flotillas can be seen sailing around the Discovery River. They have set showtimes that are posted in the My Disney Experience app and we recommend checking the schedule ahead of time. You usually have to be in the right place at the right time to catch them (crossing a bridge, walking a trail, dining at Nomad Lounge or Flame Tree Barbecue, or taking a break in the Discovery River Amphitheater).

Dino-Bash Flotilla

• Features : Goofy and Pluto

Discovery Island Drummers Flotilla

• Features : Discovery Island Drummers

Discovery River Character Cruise

• Features : Pocahontas and Meeko from  Pocahontas   or  Timon and Rafiki form  The Lion King

Adventurer’s Flotilla — Disney Ducks

• Features : Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack

Adventurer’s Flotilla –  Up

• Features : Russell and Dug from  Up
• More about characters and cavalcades in Animal Kingdom

There is one trail in Africa and it’s a must. Plus, you get to see a ton of animals and what’s better than that at a park all about animals?

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is located next to Kilimanjaro Safaris and gives guests the chance to see and learn about different animals.

Keep reading for more information about the trail and its animals.

You can find a range of animals in Africa when you walk the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Tip : You can also find select animals in the My Disney Experience app under the “attractions” category .  Plus, at the park entrance next to the  park guide map , there should be literature on the animals and their locations.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Animals

Below is a list of the animals you may see when riding Kilimanjaro Safaris.

• Black Rhino
• Nile Crocodiles
• Sable Antelope
• Ankole-Watusi Cattle
• African Wild Dogs
• Greater Flamingos
• White Rhinos
• Greater Kudu
• Scimitar-Horned Oryx
• Long-Horned Eland
• Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Save this map for future reference when you ride Kilimanjaro Safaris:

We say “may see,” because depending on the animal, the time of day, the weather, or the time of year, certain animals might not be out.

What makes Kilimanjaro Safaris so fun is it’s a different ride every time. You never know what animal you’ll see.

Save this map for future reference as you explore the Africa animal trail:

The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is located near Kilimanjaro Safaris and features a range of animals. The star of the trail are the gorillas, of course, but there are also other animals not to be missed.

Note : There are no shortcuts or exits mid-way for this trail. Once you enter, you have to walk through all of it in order to exit. The time it takes to walk through depends on how long you linger and watch the animals. But, overall, it’s not super lengthy.

Here are the main animals you can see as you walk the trail.

Yellow-Backed Duikers

Colobus Monkeys

Naked Mole Rats & More

In the “Research Center,” you’ll find Naked Mole Rats, snakes, mice, and more creatures.

African Birds

Western Lowland Gorillas

There are a few activities in Africa that little ones, especially, will love.

Coin Press Machines

You’ll find one coin press machine in Africa near the Dawa Bar and Tusker House dining areas.

This machines has Animal Kingdom and The Lion King designs. You can purchase 1 for $1.00 or all 3 for $3.00.

This drum area is located across from Tamu Tamu Refreshments and is a great spot for kids.

• Check out other fun things for little ones at Disney World

Disney PhotoPass Photographer

While not officially listed in the My Disney Experience app, you should be able to find a PhotoPass photographer on the bridge leading into Africa.

Don’t forget to ask if they have any fun Magic Shots!

Sometimes your photo may even include Expedition Everest in the background, making for a stunning picture.

Remember : unless you have Memory Maker, Memory Maker Day One, or a PhotoPass entitlement with your Annual Pass, you will have to pay to download or print these photos.

• Read more about PhotoPass and Memory Maker

Near the stage in the center of Africa there are a set of restrooms.

You’ll also find restrooms past the Festival of the Lion King as you take the path from Africa to Pandora.

Africa Checklist

• Download PDF version

*****************

What’s your favorite thing about Africa in Animal Kingdom? Tell us in the comments!

The Best And Worst Time To Go On Animal Kingdom's Popular Safari

T here's more to Disney's Animal Kingdom than just Pandora — The World of Avatar. In terms of wait times, Kilimanjaro Safaris is right up there with Avatar Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey as one of the park's most popular attractions. This is where Animal Kingdom lives up to its name and shows you some real live animals as you board a truck for a bumpy ride through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. With all the other animal-free rides like Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom , it would be easy to lose sight of the fact that it's as much a zoological park as it is a theme park. Kilimanjaro Safaris puts you in touch with both sides of that, letting riders see over 30 different species in their element, provided you catch them at the right time.

Unlike other Animal Kingdom attractions, Kilimanjaro Safaris isn't just subject to the whims of tourist crowds or the fickle malfunctions that sometimes cause Disney rides to break down. Even when the safari trucks are up and running, the best and worst time to ride one may depend on the animals' habits. Sometimes, they could appear to be hiding simply because they're resting out of sight somewhere in the 110-acre wildlife reserve. With hippos and crocodiles, for instance, you might only catch a glimpse of their heads above water. It helps to know when the animals are generally most active so you can maximize your sightings of them on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Read more: 75 Things Every American Should Do In Their Lifetime

Plan Around The Florida Sun For Kilimanjaro Safaris

Like South Florida's Lion Country Safari, Kilimanjaro Safaris offers a savanna tour where you might momentarily forget you're in the Sunshine State, not Africa. Technically, it's Animal Kingdom's version of Africa, where the "Festival of the Lion King" show also takes place. As you cross the bridge into it, you might see tourists posing in front of Africa signs. Yet this is still Florida, and the weather here factors into how the safari animals behave. When it's too hot, they're more likely to be cooling off in the shade.

That's one reason why you'll hear frequent visitors recommend early morning, late afternoon, or early evening as the best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris. Aim for when the sun is lower and the animals are out feeding, like our giraffe friend above. It's a tip backed up by panelists at planDisney, who suggest visiting first thing after the park opens or later in the day before it closes. Keep in mind, Animal Kingdom usually closes earlier than Disney's other parks, with Kilimanjaro Safaris often ending its tours before sunset.

Conversely, the worst time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris — especially in Florida's summertime heat — could be mid-day. This is true not only for animal sightings but potentially for your own comfort, as you'll be riding 20 minutes outdoors in an open-air truck. The tour's resident lions may actually be more comfortable than you since Disney reportedly built air conditioning into the rocks where they lounge.

Try To Catch The Kilimanjaro Safari After It Rains

One mistake to avoid when planning your next Florida trip is expecting all sunshine and no rain. The same is true of Animal Kingdom, where cooling rain can draw out the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris after the downpour stops. When I was there with family one summer, we got caught in a typical afternoon rainstorm and ducked into Pizzafari. Later, I kicked myself for getting tied up there instead of heading straight for the real safari when the rain let up.

Understanding Lightning Lane can also help you strategize with Kilimanjaro Safaris since it's one of the attractions that service covers. You can always keep an eye out for special offerings on Disney's list of Enchanting Extras, too. One previous offering was a private Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, combined with a meal at Tiffins Restaurant and VIP seating for "Festival of the Lion King." When we did it, we had the safari truck mostly to ourselves, with only our guide and a few other guests.

If you don't mind paying for an add-on like that, the next best one that's often available is the Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. It offers the rare chance for a night safari at Disney (again, with real animals, as opposed to the fake ones you'd see on the Jungle Cruise at night). Otherwise, just keep the beginning or end of the day in mind as your best bet for spotting the most animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

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THE 5 BEST Moscow Safaris

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Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

As the sun sets, the savanna awakens.

Witness the wild as it comes to life on an after-dark safari tour of Disney’s African savannas and wildlife! This popular, nighttime expedition is open to all Guests at Walt Disney World Resort.

Climb aboard an open-sided safari vehicle and feel the rush of night air as you rumble through lush scenery, scanning the horizon for over 30 species of African wildlife!

The Nightlife of Wildlife To make the most of your animal-viewing extravaganza, Guests will be provided with a night vision device! You’ll be astounded by what you can see: zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and antelopes—plus ostriches and over 20 other exotic African species that freely roam across the savannas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge .

Reservations and Important Details Reservations can be made on this page or in the My Disney Experience app .

This nighttime tour lasts approximately one hour. It’s available exclusively to Guests 8 years of age or older. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult who is 18 years of age or older.

Know Before You Go

• Warning: This experience features a ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna. For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
• Late arrivals after the start of the tour will not be accommodated.
• Check in at the porte-cochere at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Valid photo ID will be required to check in.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.
• Guests must be at least 8 years of age to participate in Starlight Safari, and Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• Guests using an ECV must leave their mobility devices behind at the Resort. They will retrieve them upon conclusion of the tour. This experience requires Guests in ECVs to transfer into an available wheelchair in order to participate in the tour.
• Nontransferable wheelchair Guests may remain in their wheelchair throughout this experience, however due to limited capacity on board the safari vehicle, all accommodation requests must be confirmed by calling (407) 939-5277.
• While safari vehicles are equipped for rain and wet terrain, experiences may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
• All aspects of the tour are subject to change without notice.
• Starlight Safari is a night experience, and Guests are responsible for transportation to and from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village.
• Allow up to 1.5 hours to travel to your destination within Walt Disney World Resort.

Related Activities

Savor the savanna, safety, accessibility and guest policies, make a reservation, times for starlight safari at disney's animal kingdom lodge.

Wild Africa Trek

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

An Exhilarating Safari Adventure

Be awestruck viewing wild animals in their natural habitat on the 3-hour Wild Africa Trek. On this privately guided tour, discover animals of nearly every variety living in the Safi River Valley—an untamed environment that resembles their home turf in Africa.

The Journey Walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna—with a chance to view African creatures including towering giraffes, powerful rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.

Along your journey, your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing, as well as details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation.

And as if your safari weren’t memorable enough, you’ll receive a complimentary souvenir as well!

Complimentary Photo Services Enjoy your encounters with the animals of the Harambe Reserve while a trained photographer captures all the action and excitement throughout your adventure—a service that’s included with your tour.

At the end of your expedition, you’ll receive a photo code that you can use to access and download images taken during your Wild Africa Trek experience.

Theme park admission is required, but not included in the price of this tour. Theme park reservations are also required.

Indulge In Gourmet Eats

Work up an appetite during your trek and then enjoy some first-class, African-inspired snacks.

Sample Menu

• Garlic and leek hummus and pita
• Prosciutto and mozzarella
• Fresh fruit
• Chicken wrap
• Marinated tandoori shrimp

Please note: Menu items are subject to change without notice.

Know Before You Go

• WARNING: For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
• Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).
• Participants must be 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall.
• Participants must be between 45 pounds and 300 pounds. The safety harnesses used for this experience may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from participating.
• You must have physical stamina, comfort with heights, and the surefootedness to negotiate small hills, foliage and unsteady rope bridges on this tour. Guests seeking a less strenuous or wheelchair-accessible trek should contact Wild Africa Trek operations at 0800 028 0778 (UK) or 1800 812 678 (Ireland) for alternative programs.
• Recommended attire includes shorts or pants and a comfortable shirt. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. No flip-flops will be allowed. Skirts or dresses are not recommended.
• Complimentary lockers for your belongings will be provided. You will also receive a safety vest and wireless headset so that you can hear your guide at all times. Cameras are allowed as long as they can be securely fastened to the vest.
• Please check in 15 minutes prior to the start of the experience at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction entrance. Late arrivals may not be able to join the experience.
• Excursion occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or lightning.
• Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.

Safety, Accessibility and Guest Policies

Times for wild africa trek.